Pear tree named &#39;PE1UNIBO&#39;

ABSTRACT

The new and distinct  Pyrus communis  L. pear tree variety named ‘PE1UNIBO’ is particularly characterized by the following features: medium-high vigorous trees with upright growing habitus; bearing habitus normally on spurs on 2-3 years old branches; good grafting compatibility with the main quince rootstocks; early ripening (about 9 days before ‘Bartlett’); high and constant yield and early bearing; green fruit, also when ripe, with slight russet (20-30%); fruit medium size with regular pyriform shape; tender and juicy white-cream flesh at full ripening stage with a very good flavor and high sugar content; possibility of eating the pear at the harvesting time, when crunchy; long storage capacity in cold room, up to 5-6 months.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Pyrus communis L.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘PE1UNIBO’

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to European Community Plant VarietyOffice Plant Breeders' Rights Application No. 2014/0969 filed May 9,2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peartree, botanically known as Pyrus communis L. of the Rosaceae family, andhereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘PE1UNIBO’.

The new Pyrus variety is a product of a controlled breeding programconducted by the inventors, Stefano Musacchi, Silviero Sansavini andVincenzo Ancarani, in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy. The variety is fullyowned by Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna. The objective ofthe breeding program was to develop a new Pyrus variety with high andconstant yield, early ripening, high fruit quality and long storabilityin cold room.

The new Pyrus variety originated from a cross made by the inventors in1990 in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy. The female or seed parent is thePyrus communis L. variety designated ‘Abbé Fétel’ (unpatented). The maleor pollen parent is an unknown variety of Pyrus communis L. The newPyrus variety was discovered and selected by the inventors within theprogeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in 1998 inCadriano (Bologna), Italy.

Asexual reproduction of the new Pyrus variety by budding and graftingwas first performed in August 1998 in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy, and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new variety are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new variety reproduces true totype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘PE1UNIBO’ which in combination distinguishthis pear tree as a new and distinct variety:

1. Trees with medium-high vigor;

2. Good graft compatibility with the main quince rootstocks;

3. High and constant yield;

4. High quality fruit with good flavor;

5. High sugar content;

6. Green skin, also when ripe; and

7. Long storage capacity

In comparison to the parental variety ‘Abbé Fétel’, the claimed varietydiffers primarily in the traits listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 New Variety Female Parent Trait ‘PE1UNIBO’ ‘Abbé Fétel’Compatibility Compatible Partially with quince rootstock Fruit ShapePyriform; Pyriform elongated (with the maximum diameter clearly towardcalyx) Skin color Green with slightly Yellow russet Fruit size MediumLarge Harvest time Early (9 days before Late (30 days after ‘Bartlett’pear) ‘Bartlett’ pear)

Of the many commercial varieties known to the present inventors, themost similar in comparison to the new Pyrus variety ‘PE1UNIBO’ is thePyrus variety ‘Conference’ (unpatented), in the followingcharacteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 New Variety Comparison Variety Characteristic ‘PE1UNIBO’‘Conference’ Growth habit Upright Upright, quite compact Skin colorGreen Green Fruit Shape Pyriform From pyriform to elongated pyriformSize Medium Medium Harvest time Early Medium-Late

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Pyrus variety ‘PE1UNIBO’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘PE1UNIBO’.

FIG. 1—shows a tree of ‘PE1UNIBO’ at seven years old;

FIG. 2—shows typical fruits of ‘PE1UNIBO’;

FIG. 3—shows the leafs of ‘PE1UNIBO’;

FIGS. 4 and 5—show different images of the flowers of ‘PE1UNIBO’, atfull bloom.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Pyrus variety ‘PE1UNIBO’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety mayvary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the peartree.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe trees of ‘PE1UNIBO’ asgrown in the pear farm in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy, under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.The pear farm in which PE1UNIBO is growing has a clay soil; the climateis temperate continental with high summer temperatures and low wintertemperatures; the orchard has a drip irrigation system used forfertigation.

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed botanical description includesobservations, measurements and values based on 7 year old ‘PE1UNIBO’trees grown in the pear farm in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy from 2008 to2014. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average ofmeasurements taken from a number of trees of ‘PE1UNIBO’. Themeasurements of any individual tree or any group of trees, of the newvariety may vary from the stated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance areused. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximatelyat 10:00 am in Cadriano (Bologna), Italy.

All of the trees of ‘PE1UNIBO’ insofar as they have been observed, havebeen identical in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Pyrus communis L.        -   Commercial.—Pyrus cv. PE1UNIBO.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Pyrus variety designated ‘Abbé Fétel’            (unpatented).        -   Male or pollen parent.—l Unknown.-   Propagation: budding and grafting-   Growing conditions:    -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight.        -   Temperature (in the vegetative season, from March to            September, measured in 2013).—Minimum: 0.1° C. in March            Maximum: 38.9° C. in August Medium: 8° C. (March) to            26.3° C. (July).        -   Fertilization.—A balanced fertilizer with level of N 80            kg/ha; P₂O₅ 50 kg/ha; K₂O 120 kg/ha.        -   Growth regulators.—not used.        -   Pruning or trimming requirements.—winter pruning.-   Tree:    -   -   Age.—Observed trees were seven years old and grafted on            quince Rootstock Sydo®.        -   Vigor.—Medium-high vigor; early bearing; early abundant            flowering; high and constant productivity; no biennial            bearing. The variety is compatible with the main quince and            pear rootstocks.        -   Type of bearing.—Typically on spurs on 2-3 years old            branches (like ‘Abbé Fétel’).        -   Form.—Upright and conical: branches inserted with a narrow            crotch angle. Form also depends on the training system used.        -   Habit.—A medium sized tree with one trunk and one leader;            main branches spreading; symmetrical crown and rounded            shape.        -   Branching habit.—Main branches angle is 20° to 60° with            respect to trunk if allowed to grow naturally. The crotch            angle changes along the trunk: the basal branches have a            more right crotch angle whereas the upper and apical            branches have a more narrow crotch angle.        -   Density.—medium density.        -   Size at maturity (depends on the training system).—Height:            About 3.1 m Spread: About 1.4 m.        -   Trunk.—Height (up to leaders): About 2.7 m. Diameter: About            61 mm (measured 20 cm above the grafter point) Texture: At            first, it is smooth with numerous and irregular lenticels            (from rounded to elongated); then the surface shows some            grooves. Bark color: Primarily RHS 197D, with RHS 175C under            bark Trunk Lenticels (from rounded to elongated): Length:            About 0.88 mm to 6.77 mm Width: About 0.58 mm to 3.09 mm            Color: RHS 197A Density: 1.6 n°/cm².        -   Branches (on trees at year 7).—Number per tree: About 15            Length: Varies due to pyramidal shape of tree; maximum of 90            cm to 130 cm; minimum of 10 cm to 30 cm. Diameter: About 12            mm to 32 mm Surface texture: smooth with many lenticels            Pubescence: absent Color: Mature (after about 3-4 years            old): RHS 197A New Growth: RHS 165B (sunny side); RHS 175C            (shady side) Internode length (in the middle of branches):            About 2 cm to 3.5 cm Internode diameter (in the middle of            branches): About 3.5 mm to 8 mm Branch lenticels (from            rounded to slightly elongated): Length: About 1.46 mm to 2.9            mm Width: About 0.54 mm to 1.25 mm Color: RHS 201A (sunny            side); RHS 165B (shady side) Density: 1.3 n°/cm² One Year            old Shoot lenticels (from rounded to ovate): Length: About            0.84 mm to 1.63 mm Width: About 0.55 mm to 1.12 mm Color:            RHS 201A (sunny side); RHS 165B (shady side) Density: 3.1            n°/cm².        -   Spur.—Present: Yes Distance between each spur: On the 3            years old branches, the distance is about 20 mm to 35 mm            Diameter of each spur: About 4.4 mm Number of fruit per            spur: About 2 to 4.        -   Leaves.—.        -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple and arranged upwards in            relation to the shoot.        -   Lamina.—Size: Length: About 7.2 mm (from 5.2 mm to 9.1 mm            fully expanded leaf) Width: About 4.0 mm (from 3 mm to 5.7            mm fully expanded leaf) Length/width ratio: 1.8 Overall            Shape: the shape of leaf blade is “oval” with a medium-long            pointed tip; the leaf area is medium: 26 cm²; the            longitudinal axis is medium curved; Base shape: right-angled            Apex shape: from right-angled to acute Margin: moderately            serrate with a medium depth of incisions of margin Texture:            Upper surface: glabrous Under surface: glabrous Pubescence:            Upper surface: absent Under surface: absent Color (mature            leaves): Upper surface: RHS 146A Under surface: RHS 147C            Color (immature leaves): Upper surface: RHS 144A Under            surface: RHS 146D.        -   Venation.—Type: pinnate venation from central vein to the            leaf edge Color: RHS 152C.        -   Petiole.—Length: About 3.4 mm Diameter: About 1.03 mm Color:            RHS 151A.        -   Stipule.—Arrangement: present in small numbers; the distance            from basal attachment of petiole is short Length (distance            of stipules from basal attachment of petiole): About 1 mm to            3 mm Width: About 3 mm to 12 mm.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Blooming time.—Full bloom around Mar. 30^(th) in 2012 in            Cadriano (Bologna), Italy.        -   Blooming period.—About 12 days, from March 26^(th) to April            6^(th).        -   Fragrance.—not detected.        -   Type.—corymb.        -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—About 5 to 7.        -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 4 cm Depth: About 3.5            cm.        -   Buds (vegetative bud on 1 year old shoot).—Terminal Buds:            Number per spur: About 1 to 2 Shape: acute apex; the bud            support is slightly swollen Length: About 8.3 mm Width:            About 4.1 mm Color: Apex, RHS 200C, and base, RHS 200B            Texture: smooth; medium bud support Pubescence: Absent            Lateral Buds: Number per spur: 1 Shape: acute apex; the            position of vegetative bud in relation to shoot is slightly            held out; the bud support has generally a medium-small size.            Length: About 6.1 mm Width: About 3.4 mm Color: Apex, RHS            200C, and base, RHS 200B Texture: smooth Pubescence: Absent            Flower Buds (on 2-3 years old branches): Number per spur: 1            Shape: pointed Length: About 7.5 mm Width: About 3.5 mm            Color: Apex, RHS 200C, and base, RHS 200B Texture: smooth            Pubescence: Absent.        -   Petals.—Number per flower: Five Size: medium Length: About            13 mm Width: About 9 mm Length/width ratio: 1.4 Overall            shape: normally rounded; the margins of petals touch each            other Apex shape: rounded Base shape: rounded Texture (upper            surface): smooth Texture (lower surface): smooth Margin:            entire Color (upper surface): White at full bloom Color            (lower surface): White at full bloom.        -   Sepals.—Number per flower: Five.        -   Pollination requirements.—Can be pollinated by several            varieties of pear trees.-   Fruit:    -   -   Keeping quality.—The fruit keeps well on the tree; The fruit            can be stored in cold temperature conditions for up to 5-6            months without loss of firmness and juiciness. The shelf            life ranges from one week to ten days without having a loss            of firmness and juiciness. It's possible to eat the fruit            also not totally ripe.        -   Maturity when described.—Ripe for eating.        -   Maturity period after full bloom.—About 125 days after full            bloom, around July 30^(th).        -   Type.—Pome.        -   General shape.—Normally pyriform, with the maximum diameter            clearly towards the calyx; the fruit profile is concave. The            stem is medium-short.        -   Average weight.—About 170 g.        -   Fruit size.—Average height: About 86.3 mm Average diameter            (at widest point): About 66.1 mm Height/thickness ratio:            1.31.        -   Stem.—Length: About 20.2 mm Diameter: About 4.2 mm Color:            RHS 199A.        -   Basin.—Depth: About 9.3 mm Width: About 22.95 mm.        -   Calyx.—Depth: About 11.3 mm Width: About 7.99 mm Crowning at            calyx end: weak Calyx tube: Closed (it does not communicate            with locules), but rather deep. At harvest the sepals are            converging.        -   Skin.—Thickness: medium thin Texture: smooth, with 20-30% of            slight russet, predominantly localized at the top of the            fruit and around the calyx. Color: RHS 144B (at picking            time); 144C (when ripe) Lenticels: very small and round,            point shape; not measured Color: RHS 165B Density: 43.5            n°/cm².        -   Flesh.—Firmness (at picking time): 5.5 to 6.3 kg (measured            with an 8 mm tip) Color: RHS 150D Texture: Fine, tender and            juicy at full ripening time; with some veining in the flesh.            The fruit can also be eaten not fully ripe. Aroma: aromatic;            good flavor, sweet taste Sugar content (at picking time):            14.5 to 16.6° Brix Acidity/Starch (at picking time) 2.58 to            3.34 g/lt malic acid Core: Symmetry of core: slightly            symmetric; Distinctness of core lines: medium Locules:            Number (per fruit): 5 Length: About 15 mm Width: About 10 mm            Form: the seed fills almost the locule cavity.-   Seeds:    -   -   Number per fruit.—About 1 to 10.        -   Number per locule.—About 1 to 2.        -   Shape.—ovate.        -   Length.—About 0.9 mm.        -   Width.—About 4 mm.        -   Texture.—smooth.        -   Color.—RHS 165A.-   Use: Fresh market.-   Disease/pest resistance: unknown; tests for tolerance to Fire Blight    (Erwinia amylovora) in progress.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: None observed.-   Winter hardiness: no winter cold damage to wood and buds of dormant    pear trees have been observed during the years of evaluation; but    open flowers and young fruitlets are killed by exposure to −1.5 to    −3° C., depending on the length of exposure.-   Drought/heat tolerance: Tolerant to temperatures up to 38° C.,    growth is limited by drought periods without irrigation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Pyrus communis L.pear tree named ‘PE1UNIBO’, as illustrated and described herein.